Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include drivers opening car doors, poor visibility, driver error and road conditions.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Cycling offers significant benefits for both health and the environment, and it can even boost brain power. However, it does not come without risks. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), an average of two cyclists die and 80 are severely injured on UK roads each week, while many others suffer slight injuries.
Cyclist fatalities make up around 6% of all road deaths. The risk of a fatal accident is 15 times higher for cyclists than for car drivers, with 30 cyclists dying for every billion miles travelled compared to only two drivers. This highlights the vulnerability of cyclists in collisions.
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Common causes of cycling accidents
There are many causes of cycling accidents, from driver negligence, such as failing to look properly, to external factors like poor road conditions and a lack of bike lanes. Understanding the most common causes of bicycle accidents is crucial for improving safety and reducing risks for all road users.
Driver behaviour
Motor vehicles have the potential to cause severe damage if they collide with a bicycle, and driver negligence is the most common cause of cycling accidents. Failing to look properly is the most common contributory factor to fatal or severe collisions between vehicles and cyclists. Others include:
- Tailgating, or following a cyclist too closely.
- Failing to yield the right of way at junctions is responsible for nearly three-quarters of accidents involving cyclists.
- Exceeding speed limits or driving too fast for the road conditions.
- Overtaking too closely and often at high speed.
- Driving or parking in dedicated bike lanes.
- Ignoring stop signs or signals.
- Distracted driving, such as eating, using a phone or talking to passengers.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Reckless or careless driving is responsible for 17% of all cycling accidents caused by drivers.
To protect vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, drivers must adhere to the driving rules and best practices promoted by the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Cyclist behaviour
While other road users cause a significant proportion of bike accidents, cyclists can also contribute to them in a variety of ways, including:
- Failing to look properly contributes to around 43% of bicycle crashes attributed to cyclist negligence.
- Entering the road from the pavement is another major contributory factor, especially for children.
- Not following traffic laws, such as running a red light and failing to yield when required.
- Failing to look behind or swerving without a signal.
- Riding out of designated bike paths, too far out into the road or against traffic.
- Cycling at high speeds or too fast for the road conditions.
- Neglecting to wear a helmet, which can protect them from severe head injuries in case of bike crashes.
- Riding a bicycle on a zebra crossing instead of walking.
- Cycling under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Distracted cycling, such as listening to music, using a phone or speaking to other cyclists.
Rules 59 to 82 of the Highway Code outline the specific guidelines that cyclists must follow to ensure their own safety and the safety of others on the road.
Poor visibility
A significant number of bicycle accidents occur due to poor visibility, especially at night or in adverse weather conditions, such as fog or rain. Under such circumstances, a driver may not spot a bicycle until it is too late to stop or evade it, causing an accident.
This is a shared responsibility:
- Drivers must always pay close attention to their surroundings and respect traffic laws.
- The local authorities must ensure adequate lighting on public roads and create dedicated bike lanes where appropriate.
- Cyclists should always wear bright, reflective clothing to ensure they are visible to drivers. At night, their bicycles must have white front and red rear lights lit and be fitted with a red rear reflector. A yellow bicycle jacket can reduce the risk of accidents by 55%.
Drivers opening car doors
Car-dooring is a significant and common hazard, especially in urban areas. This happens when a driver or passenger of a parked car opens the vehicle’s door in front of a cyclist, without checking their mirrors or looking behind them.
This can be very dangerous, as it may cause the cyclist to collide with the door or force them to exit into traffic to avoid it, where they could be hit by another vehicle. To protect their safety, cyclists should keep at least a meter away from parked cars, which is referred to as the door zone.
Statistics show that over 60 cyclists suffer severe injuries and over 500 suffer slight injuries each year from dooring accidents. In the five years to the end of 2017, there were seven fatalities caused by collisions with car doors.
A lack of bike lanes
A lack of dedicated infrastructure significantly increases the risk of bicycle accidents. When cyclists must share the road with fast-moving traffic and heavy vehicles, they are much more exposed to collisions and the risk of serious bicycle injuries from accidents.
Evidence shows that dedicated cycle lanes and thoughtful urban planning can significantly improve traffic safety. In London, separated cycle infrastructure is associated with a 40–65% reduction in injury odds.
However, when bike paths are present, a lack of proper design or maintenance can create hazards. If these are too narrow, poorly marked or end abruptly, they can put cyclists at risk. Furthermore, they could be obstructed by cars or pedestrians, which increases the risk of a collision.
The road conditions
Road defects, such as potholes, uneven surfaces, loose gravel, or debris, can pose significant risks to cyclists, even when they are riding carefully. Because of their small tyres and light weight, bicycles can easily slip or skid, causing the rider to lose control or fall.
Cyclists may also swerve into traffic and be hit by a vehicle when trying to avoid a road defect. Sadly, one rider is killed or severely injured every week on British roads due to crashes caused by poor road surfaces.
Bad weather also plays a significant role in cycling accidents, as it can create hazardous road conditions. Wet roads reduce tyre grip, making it more difficult for cyclists and drivers alike to brake or turn safely, increasing the risk of collisions.
Bicycle defects
A small number of accidents are caused by bicycle defects, such as malfunctioning brakes, worn-out tyres or loose chains. This can be due to a lack of proper maintenance, a faulty repair, or a manufacturing error. To prevent such incidents, it is essential to check your bike before every ride and ensure it is functioning correctly.
How many cycling accidents are there in the UK?
According to data from the DfT, there were 14,999 reported casualties in road accidents involving a cyclist in 2023. These led to 87 fatalities, 3,942 severe injuries and 10,970 slight injuries.
In 2024, there were 14,523 road casualties involving cyclists, of which 85 were fatalities. This is a slight, 2% decrease from the previous year in fatal accidents. Pedal cyclist deaths represent 5% of the total number of 1,633 road traffic fatalities in 2024.
Despite this modest decrease in accidents, bicycle safety remains a significant concern, particularly on rural roads, which account for 58% of cyclist fatalities.
What are the most common injuries that cyclists suffer in road accidents?
Due to their lack of physical protection, bicycle riders are particularly vulnerable to serious injury if an accident happens. The most common ones include:
- Soft tissue injuries such as sprains and strains of the back and shoulders.
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, are especially common when not wearing a helmet.
- Road rash, a skin injury caused by the friction of sliding across a rough surface like tarmac or concrete.
- Broken bones, especially collarbones, wrists, arms, legs and ribs.
- Spinal injuries are common in high-speed collisions with vehicles and could lead to paralysis.
How can cyclists protect themselves from accidents?
While many factors are out of their control, bicycle riders can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by following this practical advice:
- Use designated cycling lanes when available.
- Clearly communicate movements by using hand signals.
- Ride with the traffic and follow all traffic laws.
- Always wear a helmet.
- Use reflective, high-visibility gear and lights at night.
- Be aware of your surroundings and keep a safe distance from parked cars.
- Maintain your bike.
Read More: Does the speed limit apply to bicycles?
What should I do if I have a bicycle accident?
You should take these steps if you are involved in a bike accident:
- Call 999 if needed; if not, seek medical attention promptly, even if your injuries seem minor.
- If you are injured, report the accident to the police.
- Exchange details with the other parties involved.
- Do not admit fault or discuss the accident details with the other party.
- Gather as much evidence as possible, such as photos of the accident scene, witness contacts and vehicle details.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer for a free consultation without delay.
If another party was at least partially responsible for your injuries, you may be eligible to make a bicycle accident compensation claim, subject to the relevant time limits. You can discuss your legal rights with an experienced solicitor, for free, by calling 0800 470 0472 or using our online contact form.
